Despite the smoky skies that Montana has been plagued with during this last part of the summer (quite a departure from all the rain we were avoiding in the spring during their engagement session!), Andrea and Mike’s small wedding on Flathead Lake in Polson Montana at her uncle’s family cabin was beautiful. We could barely see the mountains across the lake, but I don’t think anyone minded as we were all focused on how happy Andrea and Mike were.

Their day started off with getting ready at the cabin. There was a fun energy in the air as Andrea’s sister, mother and friends helped her with her hair, makeup and putting together all the final details for the moment when she’d get to see Mike for the first time, each all decked out in their wedding day finest.

Andrea made her way down to the shoreline (in her beautiful emerald-green shoes!) to see Mike for the first time, and as he turned to catch the first glimpse of his bride, grins immediately leapt to their faces. They shared a sweet moment, we gathered the wedding party to make some fun portraits of everyone together, and soon it was time to prepare for their ceremony to start.

Guests took it all in from the shoreline as the wedding party walked out to the end of the dock, highlighted by the sunshine we were treated to that day, and framed by the wedding arch Andrea’s father made. I just love how Andrea and Mike held their ceremony on the dock – Andrea has been coming to her uncle’s cabin nearly her whole life, so this location holds a special sentimental value for many of the folks who attended their wedding.

Andrea and Mike exchanged vows with one another, grinning, laughing, and getting a little choked up as they promised their love to one another. And before they knew it, they sealed it all with a kiss, which turned into smiles and laughter walking down the aisle (or should I say, dock) as newlyweds.

Festivities continued as guests were treated to tapas and a dinner of street-tacos (a nod to Andrea and Mike’s ties to Arizona). Everyone mingled, laughed, dined and had a good time just hanging out and enjoying the lake, and were treated to tasty huckleberry cake later in the evening.

Andrea and Mike shared their first dance together down on the dock, and soon the music carried out onto the water and beckoned a few more folks to kick off their shoes and come kick up their heels as well.

The jet ski also beckoned, so Andrea changed into her reception dress (and Mike changed into his reception shorts), and it wasn’t long before they hopped onto the watercraft and took it for a little newlywed spin on the lake – a perfect end to a happy day!

Andrea and Mike! Thank you again for having me document your wedding day! I loved how sweet your wedding was, how kind all of your family and friends are, and seeing just how happy you two make one another. I hope you have many more trips to the lake in the future, filled with wonderful memories galore (which I’m sure won’t be a tall order in the least)! Congratulations again!

Vendor Information for Andrea + Mike’s Wedding on Flathead Lake in Polson Montana:

Venue: the bride’s uncle’s cabin on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana
Florist: Dawn’s Flower Designs, Polson, Montana
Cake Artist: Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
Caterer: A Moveable Feast, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Events and Rentals, Bigfork, Montana
Wedding Dress: Luv Bridal, Phoenix, Arizona
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Sarah and Matt truly had the definition of a perfect wedding at the Barn at Finley Point in Polson Montana. It wasn’t too hot, nor too cold; they got to visit some of their favorite places on earth whilst enjoying their wedding day (Sarah grew up visiting her grandparents’ place on Flathead Lake, which is just a hop and a skip away from the Barn at Finley Point); and they enjoyed it all with the people closest to them.

Their day started out with their first look in Ronan by a favorite barn of Sarah and Matt’s – and some “bushwhacking” through fields (we had permission, don’t worry!), which ended up being pretty memorable (I think most of us had wheat kernels in our shoes by the end of our trek!), and stunningly beautiful. (Can’t beat the gorgeous Mission Mountains set off perfectly by a beaming couple!)

Soon it was time for Sarah and Matt to walk down the aisle and say their “I Do’s.” Willow leaves and a pond framed their ceremony, and friends and family smiled and laughed along with Sarah and Matt as they spoke their vows to one another. They kissed to a chorus of cheers and walked down the aisle again, this time as beaming newlyweds.

Not long after they sealed it all with a kiss, we bopped on over to Sarah’s grandparents’ place on the lake to make some images at one of her favorite places – and they were both brave enough to jump into a canoe and paddle out onto the lake a bit. Worth it!

We rejoined everyone at the barn for a tasty dinner, some heartfelt toasts, an abundance of donuts and candy, some fantastic dancing, and fun photobooth shenanigans.

Soon, the sun slid behind the clouds, leaving the warm light of the dance floor and peals of laughter spilling out into the dark Montana night.

Sarah and Matt! What an amazing day for you two! I just loved every second of your wedding, and had such a wonderful time photographing such a special day for you both. Your friends and family are the sweetest, as are you two, and it’s a complete understatement to say that I wish you all the best this world has to offer! And here’s to being back in Montana again soon! :)

Vendor Information for Sarah and Matt’s Wedding at the Barn at Finley Point

Venue: The Barn at Finley Point, Polson, Montana
Videographer: Jon Gednalske, friend from college
Florist: Dawn’s Flower Designs, Polson, Montana
DJ: Big Mountain DJs, Whitefish, Montana
Makeup Artist: 406 Beauty, Bigfork, Montana
Hair Artist: Dylen Zetterberg McCrumb
Officiant: John Christopherson
Caterer: Bravo Catering, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Rentals, Bigfork, Montana
Bar and Spirits: Glacier Brewing Company, Polson, Montana
Wedding Dress: the bride’s grandmother and mother’s dress
Bridesmaid Dresses: the Lauren Conrad collection from Kohl’s
Menswear: Norman’s Menswear, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

On the docket: portraits and weddings in abundance! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Combine friends and family from Canada and Australia, add in a gorgeous Montana day on the lake, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for one beautiful, fun wedding.

As the ceremony started, guests eagerly looked on as Jen and Chris gazed into one another’s eyes and said their “I do’s,” so sweet and sincere and full of love. They kissed for the first time as newlyweds and walked down the lavender-strewn aisle, bubbles greeting them as they smiled at their loved ones.

Jen and Chris wanted to make the most of being on Flathead Lake, so we all hopped into their limo and took it for a spin to some beautifully scenic spots to make some photos of the two of them and their wedding party. (Kudos to everyone for navigating the rocky bluffs and the heat!)

We returned to their reception venue and soon everyone was smiling at a slideshow full of fun images of Jen and Chris throughout the years. Smiles turned to laughter as we were all treated to some hilarious toasts, and a few tears were shed, too, at some touching, emotional moments as well.

Not long after, it was time to cut the cake. However, Jen and Chris set it up to have an exciting little spin. They were expecting their first child, but hadn’t yet found out the gender of their baby. To retain the surprise, they instead gave Chris’s mother a sealed envelope revealing the news, and, since she was making the cake, they used the cake cutting as a way to reveal the baby’s gender. Jen and Chris also added another fun element to the mix and gave their guests the opportunity to “wager” their guess of boy or girl, with winner taking all at the final reveal! As Jen put it, “Auussies are known for gambling.” To everyone’s excitement, Jen and Chris cut the cake to reveal a pink center – they were having a girl! The room erupted with cheers and tears and loads of excitement and happiness. Such a fun moment to witness and document!

All of this happy energy carried straight over into their first dances, and continued on into the evening as folks hit the dance floor and celebrated into the evening.

Jen and Chris – thank you again for inviting me into a truly beautiful and memorable day in your lives. It was such an honor to be a part of such a special day and to witness your pure joy at the news about your little baby girl! Here’s to a life full of happiness and excitement – and congrats again!

Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Vista Linda Restaurant, Somers, Montana
Reception Venus: Rack Shack, Somers, Montana
Florist: Flowers by Hansen, Kalispell, Montana
Cake: Made by Meryl Quarrell, mother of the groom
DJ: Side Car Audio, Lakeside, Montana
Hair and Makeup: Amore Salon and Spa, Kalispell, Montana
Wedding Dress and Menswear: from Mimi’s Bridal, Kalispell, Montana
Bridesmaid Dresses: Allure designs
Officiant: from Big Sky Events
Rentals: The Party Store, Columbia Falls, Montana

On the docket: weddings, portraits, and more weddings! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

If I were given only two words to describe Karen and Robb’s wedding at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana….I’d say: carefree and fun. And happy. And beautiful. And full of love and true emotion. And….well, you get my drift. I can’t say enough about how amazing Karen and Robb’s wedding was!

Karen made her grand entrance in a vintage convertible, and the sun sparkled on the water as the wedding started off with the famous lines from The Princess Bride: “Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…” which got everyone giggling.

The laughter and smiles continued throughout their ceremony as Karen and Robb looked deeply into each other’s eyes and promised to love one another forever.

Family and friends cheered and showered rice on the newlyweds as they made their way down the aisle, ducking and dodging the incoming grains.

Guests helped themselves to a taco bar, toasts got everyone giggling again, and soon, folks were kicking up their heels on the dance floor to the tunes of Sho-Down. The bride and groom cut their pie (and got a good pie smash in as well), kids dipped their feet in the lake, and soaked up the evening light as the sun set on a perfect day for these two.

Karen and Robb – I can’t even begin to express how absolutely delightful your wedding was, and how honored I am to have been a part in documenting such a special day in your lives! Here’s to many happy years together surrounded by family and friends and lots of love!

Vendors:
Venue: Flathead Lake Lodge, Bigfork, Montana
Florist: Bev’s Bloomers, Ronan, Montana
Cake Artist: the bride’s stepmom, Andrea
Band: Sho-Down, Missoula, Montana
Hair and Makeup Artist: the bride’s friend, Jennie
Wedding Dress: from Venus in Portland, Oregon
Rentals: St. Char-Ro, Ronan, Montana

On the docket: weddings, portraits, and more weddings! Stay tuned, folks!

Cheers,

-Kristine